Overview
The Capybara is one of the adoptable pets in Starsand Island. Known in-game as Mellowhen, this capybara is found in the wild around Hopeland and can be tamed through the standard pet adoption process. Capybaras are an unusual and charming pet choice that stand out from the more common dogs and cats, and Mellowhen has become a fan favorite in the community for its relaxed animations and gentle personality.
As a pet, the Capybara provides companionship and may grant passive bonuses once fully bonded. It follows the same adoption and care mechanics as all other pets in the Woof & Wow Pets system.
Finding the Capybara
Mellowhen the Capybara spawns in the grassland areas surrounding Hopeland. Look for it near ponds, streams, or grassy clearings where it tends to roam slowly. Unlike some rare pet spawns that appear only at specific times, the Capybara is present throughout the day, though it may wander between a few fixed locations within its spawn zone.
The Capybara is easy to spot thanks to its distinctive size and shape. It is significantly larger than rabbits and smaller critters in the area, and its rounded body and slow gait make it unmistakable even from a distance.
Adoption Process
Taming the Capybara follows the standard wild pet adoption process used for all tameable animals in Starsand Island.
Approach the Capybara with its favorite food in your inventory.
Feed it Pasture Grass by interacting with it. The Capybara will eat the grass and gain affection toward the player.
Return daily to feed it again. Each feeding session increases the Capybara's affection level.
Reach Level 3 affection after multiple daily feedings. The exact number of days depends on whether you feed it its favorite food each time.
Adopt the Capybara once Level 3 affection is reached. A prompt appears to formally adopt it, after which it moves to your Hopeland property.
Favorite Food
The Capybara's favorite food is Pasture Grass. Feeding it Pasture Grass provides the maximum affection gain per feeding session, reducing the total number of days needed to reach Level 3 affection. Other food items can be fed in a pinch, but they provide significantly less affection progress.
Pasture Grass grows naturally across the island's grassland areas. It can be harvested by hand or with a sickle. Keeping a stack of Pasture Grass in your inventory ensures you are always ready for a Capybara feeding session when you encounter Mellowhen during daily activities.
Pet Stats and Behavior
Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
Name | |
Species | Capybara |
Favorite Food | |
Found In | Hopeland grasslands |
Temperament | Calm, docile |
Movement Speed | Slow |
Special Trait | Relaxation aura (reduces nearby animal stress) |
Once adopted, Mellowhen roams your Hopeland property at a leisurely pace. The Capybara's idle animations include sitting by water features, rolling in grass, and grooming itself. These animations are notably charming and have made the Capybara one of the most photographed pets in the game's community.
The Capybara's relaxation aura is a passive effect that slightly reduces stress levels of other animals in its vicinity. While not a major gameplay mechanic, it provides a small quality-of-life benefit for nearby farm animals and other pets.
Known Bug: Rollerblade Interaction
A previously known bug caused the player character to become stuck in place when petting the Capybara while riding Rollerblades. The interaction animation conflicted with the Rollerblade movement state, locking the character in a petting pose with no way to move or cancel the animation.
This bug was identified by the community and fixed in a subsequent patch. Players on the current version should not encounter this issue. If you experience any similar movement lock when interacting with pets, dismount from your vehicle or remove Rollerblades before petting to be safe.
Capybara Care
After adoption, the Capybara requires the same care as other pets. Regular feeding, petting, and interaction maintain its happiness level. A happy Capybara provides stronger passive bonuses and displays more varied animations.
Item | Description |
|---|---|
Feeding | Feed the Capybara Pasture Grass daily for maximum happiness. Other foods work but are less effective. |
Petting | Interact with the Capybara once per day to pet it. This provides a small happiness boost and strengthens the bond. |
Shelter | The Capybara does not require a dedicated shelter but benefits from being near a water feature on your property. Placing a small pond near its roaming area keeps it content. |
Companionship | Capybaras are social animals. Having other pets or animals nearby increases its baseline happiness slightly. |
Community Reception
The Capybara has become one of the most popular pets in the Starsand Island community. Its calm demeanor, unique appearance, and charming animations make it a favorite for players who enjoy the life-sim aspects of the game. Community screenshots and clips frequently feature Mellowhen relaxing by ponds, sitting next to the player during fishing sessions, or rolling in flower patches.
Capybaras are an unconventional choice for a farm and island life simulation game, and their inclusion is often cited as an example of the game's attention to personality and charm in its pet selection.
Tips
Stock up on Pasture Grass before starting the taming process. Having enough for at least 5 to 7 daily feedings ensures you do not miss a day due to running out.
Visit Mellowhen at the same time each day to build a routine. Consistency helps you reach Level 3 affection as quickly as possible.
After adoption, place a small pond or water feature near the Capybara's roaming area. It spends more time near water and displays its best idle animations there.
The Capybara's relaxation aura, while subtle, is useful in animal enclosures. Consider letting the Capybara roam near your ranch animals to reduce their stress levels passively.
If you use Rollerblades frequently, dismount before interacting with any pet to avoid residual animation bugs, even after the known Rollerblade bug was patched.
The Capybara moves slowly. Do not expect it to keep up with you while running across the property. It will eventually wander back to its preferred spots on its own.